







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| It makes all of our clothes stink! | |
| Where is your school, is it in central London? | |
| I've finally completed it and tomorrow is the big day! | |
| I can't call him at the moment because his phone is unreachable. | |
| Oh, sorry, I didn't know I wasn't allowed to order what I want! | |
| He hasn't realised that we are at a vet yet. | |
| Oh my god! It’s almost 12 o’clock. | |
| And this is my girlfriend, Cate. | |
| Are you with your friends? | |
| Upstairs, there is Diego and a British couple next to him. | |
| Hello, is that Cate? | |
| Okay, that's fine. | |
| Don't worry, I don't like having a very heavy breakfast. | |
| If you are going to ask for money, I don't have any, either. | |
| It's not borrowing, it's stealing! | |
| The recipe is for 6 people. | |
| Oh, come on dear, I was just joking, you know that... | |
| Because I'm sure they don't serve bugs in London! | |
| Do your parents live in London, too? | |
| Last night we were open till very late, and you know her excuse. | |